Senate debates

Wednesday, 10 May 2023

• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Meeting (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Productivity Commission Amendment (Electricity Reporting) Bill 2023; Second Reading (17 speeches)
    It's great to be able to make a contribution on what I think is a very important piece of legislation, the Productivity Commission Amendment (Electricity Reporting) Bill 2023, given the current...
  • Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill 2022; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    The coalition will be supporting this piece of legislation, the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill 2022. The bill implements 21 of the 33 recommendations of the 2016 Moss review...
  • Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill 2022; In Committee (32 speeches)
    by leave—I move amendments (1) to (3) on Sheet ZB203: (Government) (1) Schedule 1, item 3, page 4 (after line 25), after subsection 29(2A), insert: (2B) To avoid doubt, if a disclosure...
• Statements by Senators (0 speeches)
  • Gyngell, Mr Allan, AO (1 speech)
    I rise today to pay tribute to Allan Gyngell AO, a friend, colleague and trusted adviser. Allan passed away on 3 May 2023 at the age of 75, and he is missed by many Australians, particularly in...
  • Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III (1 speech)
    Today, I would like to stand to join the nation, my state of South Australia and the Commonwealth in congratulating His Majesty King Charles III on his coronation, which took place over the...
  • Budget (10 speeches)
    I rise to give the Australian Greens' budget reply speech in the Senate. Last night's budget was a budget without ambition. It utterly failed to respond to the gravity of our times., to the twin...
  • Forestry Industry (1 speech)
    Today I rise to talk about a report which was released by Net Zero Australia of its analysis, which recognises how forestry and agriculture can help Australia's fight against climate change. It...
  • Workplace Relations: Qantas (9 speeches)
    As I speak in this chamber today, just five minutes down the road in the High Court 1,700 illegally sacked Qantas workers, their families and the Transport Workers Union are fighting. They're not...
  • Macquarie Point Stadium (1 speech)
    I think there's a theme about to happen. Did you catch the white elephant in last night's budget? It's big, it's white, it's costing nearly a billion dollars and it's supposed to live in Hobart,...
  • Mobile Black Spot Program (1 speech)
    Before I begin, I want to reiterate the comments that I inadvertently made over the speech of Senator Duniam, which was that Jeremy Rockliff, the Tasmanian premier, is very excited—so...
  • Budget (3 speeches)
    Last night, the budget delivered by the Treasurer was yet another disappointment for people in my home state of Western Australia. After 10 interest rate rises under this government, spiralling...
  • Hobart Legacy (1 speech)
    I rise to make a brief contribution about a terrific organisation in the state of Tasmania, Hobart Legacy. Legacy will be known to nearly everyone in this place for the wonderful work they do....
  • Australian Constitution (1 speech)
    As the Australian Greens' new spokesperson for a republic, I want to be unequivocal about our commitment for Australia to become a republic hand in hand with treaty and truth telling. More and...
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    Last night we witnessed the great Australian deception. The backbone of our country, our farmers who produce what we eat and we wear, our resource miners who keep our economy running and our...
  • Australian Constitution: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (1 speech)
    ON (—) (): Never in the history of this country has so much money been wasted on a referendum Australia shouldn't even be having. There is no question this referendum is bitterly dividing...
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    Last night's budget took me back to a time when I was younger and I worked hard for a few years and bought myself a little sports car. Looking back, I think it would be considered a bit of a...
  • First Nations Australians (1 speech)
    Today I want to use my two minutes to talk about the ongoing Senate inquiry into missing and murdered First Nations women and children, which was first established in 2021. Since its...
  • Gender and Sexual Orientation (1 speech)
    A society is ultimately judged on how it nurtures and cares for its most vulnerable—its children and its elderly—so how will our society be judged if we persist in allowing our...
  • Billich, Mr Charles (1 speech)
    One of Australia's most recognised artists—and my friend—Charles Billich, and his wife, Christa, are great contributors not only to art but to the social and society part of life....
  • Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
    The government wants pharmacists to dispense 60 days worth of medication at a time instead of 30 days worth. It means patients with chronic illnesses don't have to go to the GP as often, and...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about inflation, which was not addressed in the budget that was handed down last night. You don't solve inflation by having an expansionary, stimulatory budget, and that's...
  • Qantas (1 speech)
    I would like to do something different today. I would like to quote from an article in yesterday's Australian Financial Review by Joe Aston titled 'Rear window: How low will Joyce go'. I will go...
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    In this budget, the Albanese government has shown yet again that it does not care about refugees. It cares even less about the human rights of people seeking asylum. Never underestimate the...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Budget (58 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. With energy bills up $500, even taking into account Labor's limited temporary payments, and the average family...
  • Domestic and Family Violence (8 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Farrell. Does the Albanese Labor government acknowledge the fact that many Australian men are victims of...
  • Mining Industry (29 speeches)
    My question is to the minister representing the Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, what is the contribution made by Australia's resources sector, including coal and gas, to the budget bottom...
  • Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister representing the Attorney-General, Senator Watt. We are in a black deaths in custody crisis in this country. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in...
  • Budget (51 speeches)
    I'm really excited to be asking my question today, and I'm excited because I'm the first senator to ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry a question on Australia's agriculture...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Taxation (1 speech)
    In question time on 28 March 2023, I took questions asked of me from Senator Dean Smith on notice—in my capacity, on that day, as Minister representing the Prime Minister—relating to...
• Questions without Notice: Take Note of Answers (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Questions (7 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of all questions asked by coalition senators of government ministers today. What we saw last night was a typical big spending, big taxing Labor budget. That's...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance (Senator Gallagher) to a question without notice asked by Senator Rice today relating to poverty and the budget....
  • Aboriginal Deaths In Custody (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Attorney-General (Senator Watt) to a question without notice I asked today relating to Aboriginal deaths in...
• Parliamentary Zone (0 speeches)
  • Proposed Works (1 speech)
    In accordance with the provisions of the Parliament Act 1974, I present a proposal for works within the Parliamentary Zone relating to the John Gorton Campus Carpark, and I give notice that, on...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
    by leave—I move: That leave of absence be granted to the following senators: (a) Senator Gallagher for 9 May 2023, on account of ministerial business; and (b) Senator Walsh for 10 and 11...
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That general business order of the day No. 21, Parliamentary Privileges Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022, be considered on Thursday 11 May 2023 at the time for private...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Reporting Date (1 speech)
    I remind senators that the question may be put on any proposal at the request of any senator.
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • West, Hon. Stewart John (3 speeches)
    It is with deep regret that I inform the Senate of the death on 29 March 2023 of the Hon. Stewart John West, a former minister and member of the House of Representatives for the division of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Gyngell, Mr Allan, AO (2 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) gives thanks for the life and service to the nation of Allan Gyngell AO, who passed away in May 2023; (b) recognises Mr Gyngell's remarkable contribution to...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Days and Hours of Meeting (2 speeches)
    At the request of Senator Gallagher, I move: That the order of 30 March 2023 relating to the hours of meeting and routine of business for Budget week be varied to read as follows— (1A) On...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • SmartCard Scheme; Order for the Production of Documents (2 speeches)
    by leave—I amend general business notice of motion No. 224 relating to the SmartCard scheme, and I move the amended motion: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for production...
  • Answers to Questions on Notice; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Birmingham I move general business notice of motion No. 226: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) written questions on notice are an important transparency tool and it...
  • Budget Process Operational Rules; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    On behalf of Senator Hume I move general business notice of motion No. 227: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) order for production of documents no. 123 was agreed by the Senate on 7...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Defence Capability Assurance and Oversight Bill 2023; First Reading (1 speech)
    FAWCETT () (): I move: That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to establish the Defence Capability Assurance Agency, the Inspector-General of Defence Capability Assurance and the...
  • Defence Capability Assurance and Oversight Bill 2023; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill. Leave granted. I table an explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 1) Bill 2023; Order for the Production of Documents (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate— (a) notes that: (i) a key role of the Senate is scrutiny of government revenue measures, (ii) in April 2023, Senator Bragg requested the Parliamentary Budget Office...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (2 speeches)
    At the request of the Senators Colbeck and Cadell, I move: That the following matter be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 1...
  • Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee; Reference (1 speech)
    I move: That the provisions of the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2023 be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by...
  • Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee; Reference (4 speeches)
    I'm now moving back and recalling business of the Senate No. 2, standing in the names of Senators Colbeck and Cadell and moved by Senator Askew.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Answers to Estimates Questions on Notice; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    At the request of Senator Cash, I move: That— (a) the Senate notes that, as at 9 am on Monday, 8 May 2023, 1,929 questions on notice from the 2022-23 supplementary Budget estimates remain...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Budget (12 speeches)
    A letter has been received from Senator McGrath: Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion: "Australia...
• Matters of Urgency (0 speeches)
  • Budget (12 speeches)
    The President has received the following letter from Senator McKim: Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today the Australian Greens propose to move "That, in the opinion of the...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Report No. 21 of 2022-23; Consideration (1 speech)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. Sometimes, when you're looking at the way in which the Department of Defence and defence procurement is oversighted in this place, there are...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Scrutiny of Bills Committee; Scrutiny Digest (1 speech)
    On behalf of Senator Dean Smith, I present Scrutiny digest No. 5 of 2023 of the Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills, together with ministerial responses to committee correspondence, and...
  • Human Rights Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present Human rights scrutiny report No. 5 of 2023.
  • Education and Employment Legislation Committee; Additional Information (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Chair of the Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Senator Sheldon, I present additional information received by the committee on its inquiries into Education and Other...
  • Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee; Delegated Legislation Monitor (1 speech)
    I present the Delegated legislation monitor No. 5 of 2023, and I move: That the Senate take note of the report. I seek leave to continue my remarks. Leave granted; debate adjourned.
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Tabling (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government I table a ministerial statement concerning the regional budget statement.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Great Barrier Reef; Order for the Production of Documents (1 speech)
    I table a document relating to the order for the production of documents concerning the Great Barrier Reef.
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Regional Budget Statement (5 speeches)
    I move: That the Senate take note of the document. I rise to take note of the Regional ministerial budget statement 2023-24, released last night. I fully commend the response by the National...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Education and Employment References Committee; Membership (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: Substitute member: Senator Waters to replace Senator Faruqi for the committee's inquiry into the impact of the Paid Parental Leave scheme on small business Participating...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill 2023, Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time. Question agreed to. Bills read a first time.
  • Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill 2023, Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech es read as follows—...
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Child Support Measures) Bill 2023; First Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill may proceed without formalities and read a first time. Question agreed to. Bill read a first time.
  • Social Services Legislation Amendment (Child Support Measures) Bill 2023; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted. The speech read as follows— Labor has a proud...
• Regulations and Determinations (0 speeches)
  • Social Security (Administration) (Declinable Transactions and BasicsCard Bank Account) Determination 2023; Disallowance (9 speeches)
    RICE () (): I move: That the Social Security (Administration) (Declinable Transactions and BasicsCard Bank Account) Determination 2023, made under the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999,...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Workplace Relations (1 speech)
    I'm going to talk about the four-day working week trial that I started to talk about yesterday. I'm incredibly pleased to say that the speech I'm about to give has been drafted for me by Nellie...
  • Budget (1 speech)
    I was interested to read Robert Gottliebsen's article in the Australian. In his time as a journalist, he's seen nearly half a century of budgets handed down by Treasurers on both sides of...
  • Living School Lismore, Budget (1 speech)
    SHOEBRIDGE () (): Empowering young people to build a future they believe in is incredibly important, especially in the face of a government increasingly committed to producing a surplus, which is...
  • World Asthma Day (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about asthma and the 2.7 million Australians sufferers. World Asthma Day was on 2 May. It's an annual global awareness day for asthma led by the Global Initiative for Asthma. One...